What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

The classic Bible story of David and Goliath found In 1 Samuel 17 seems to be the perfect illustration of what the Apostle Paul wrote many years later in Romans 8:31. The mano a mano battle between the Philistine Behemoth War machine Goliath and the little Shepherd boy David son of Jesse had Las Vegas bookmakers of course laying heavy odds on a first round knock out.

In one corner (actually on a hillside) stood Goliath. He is a 9' tall lean mean killing machine whose mere presence has the armies of Israel shaking in their boots.. while others piddled in theirs.

And a very Monty Python like battle cry.. "RUN AWAY RUN AWAY" was heard through out the land.

In the other corner (actually the other hillside) King Saul who was the big man on campus (head and shoulders above the rest) was NOT 9' tall. So he promised one of his daughters as the literal 'trophy wife' for the man who would come forward and challenge Big Bad Goliath.

​But.. the idea of being known as the soon to be 'DEAD' at the hands of a GIANT son in law of the king was met with resounding silence.. except the sound of the knocking of the knees of Israel's First 'chicken' Brigade. I guess none of these soldiers had read Romans 8:31.

Enter stage left.. David who shows up to deliver brown paper bag lunches (PB&J sandwiches, apple, bag of chips, and gatorade) to his brothers. Ok, not sure about the menu, but he was sent by his dad Jesse BUT when David overheard the 9' tall heathen windbag taunting the one and only true God he was all in to taking down Mr. Fee Fi Fo Fum! Up until now David's battle resume was as a defender of .. 'sheep'. But as noted by personal reference Sal the Sheep, 'David had killed lions, (maybe tigers) and bears OH MY and he was one baaaa-d dude."

I guess Saul thought to better you than me and loaded up David with all his armor from the big & tall King section.

David looked more like the tin man from Wizard of Oz than a mighty warrior and so David shed all this oversized armor and instead traveled light with 5 smooth stones, a sling, and most importantly his Faith in the One True God.

Goliath even taunts David calling him a dog. Then as the LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE announcement is made over the hillside, the bell rings and both men leave their respective corners (er a hillsides) to do battle in the valley.

​The Thrilla in Pallestinia​From all published accounts (1 Samuel 17) the battle was over before it really began. But in the very first 'David defeats Goliath' story-line it was a FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT for the ages. Not until years later when Rocky Balboa defeated Apollo Creed have the Las Vegas odds-makers been so wrong.

David drops Goliath with one smooth stone square in his thick skull dropping him like a 9' tall sack of philistine potatoes. David then pulls Goliath's own sword from his sheath kills Golaith and cuts off his head and returns it to Saul.

Further investigations of the Crime Scene confirmed the details of the battle. Crime Scene smelled like sheep, Stone shaped indentation in vic's head matched stone near crime scene. Vic's own sword was used to sever head of the big man... BUT it appears it was not suicide. DUH.. how does someone cut off their own head?

Moral of the Story.. of every story is again found in the words of the Apostle Paul

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?Romans 8:31

No matter the GIANT in your life.. remember the rest of Romans 8

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? .. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May God bless and use all you Davids in ways that are beyond your dreams and all that God intended for His glory. Amen.

Thirty two years ago my wife and I were anxious parents-2-be expecting our first. We had already made a few typical false alarm trips to the hospital (aka Braxton Hicks practice contractions), but on February 13th, 1986 it was the real deal and life would NEVER be the same.

READY SET GO.. At 12:30 a.m. on February 13th 1986 my wife and I had just headed off to bed for a long winter’s nap. About midnight I arrived home from working the evening shift at my job and was off to bed with my fully 9 months pregnant wife Mary. Before I could even fade into sleep Mary exclaims “My water broke, or I just peed the bed.” So off to the races we headed for the birth of our child #1.

BUT FIRST.. We had to stop was for gas as I had not planned on this midnight run to the hospital all while Mary’s contractions were kicking in to gear. ​NOTE TO SELF: Keep gas tank full when babies are near due date.

So we arrive at the hospital ( I ran a few red lights just for added high drama) and the nurses get us settled into our room and notify our doctor. Mary is then hooked up all sorts of monitors including this cool baby monitors that measures the strength of her contractions. COOL.. something for me to watch over the next hours. OVER THE NEXT HOURS.. The contractions come and go.. the doctor visits and early on is able to give Mary the drugs of choice to calm the pains. I remember after several of the contractions where Mary seemed to be hurting especially bad I said to her.. “That one was not really that bad it was only a 4 on the monitor.” Shortly later I found out the monitor strap had come loose and was not measuring accurately. NOTE TO SELF: Do not think 'out-loud'.

BIRTH CLASS IN ACTION: Mary and I had attended the birthing classes, so I knew to hold her hand and to coach her breathing. Problem was Mary preferred to hold the nurses hands because they were cooler to the touch, and at one point during my breathing she said.. “Quit breathing in my face.” NOTE TO SELF: Quit breathing??

MORE DRUGS .. PLEASE: So the hours move along and it is early morning around 4:30 when Mary pleads with her doctor for more drugs.. but the doc says nope.. too late.. no more drugs for you. At least I was smart enough at this point to not repeat the doctor’s words. I just sat quietly supportive. NOTE TO SELF: Plead Mary’s case for drugs as a sign of being supportive, and ask for some for self as my back is killing me.

THING ARE GETTING INTENSE: Around 8 a.m. the pains are strong, but the process seems to have stalled a bit. So while Mary is in her ‘painful’ holding pattern, the morning breakfast cart rolls around. They peek in and ask sheepishly.. “Breakfast anyone?” There is a momentary silence.. then I finally say.. “Yes, I think I could eat something.” NOTE TO SELF: Next time shout, can’t you see my wife is in labor, and then meet cart in hallway for a secret snack under the guise of chewing them out.

So the process continues as I eat breakfast and between bites of food call to my wife with my mouth full.. “push”.. and “remember your breathing.”

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN: Finally around 10:00 a.m. a child is born and they shall call his name .. Curtis Walter Larson. He is healthy, a bit cone headed but a keeper. After the usual initial checks and I get to cut the cord from 'mothership' Mary we head back to our private room where the three of us mom, dad, and new baby Curt.. all lying in the same bed. And around 12:30 early that afternoon, baby Curt is asleep, I am asleep (and snoring) while Mary lies wide awake with the adrenaline rush of her life. NOTE TO SELF: I don't know what Mary thinks BUT.. this giving birth thingy is exhausting!

So there you have it, BIRTH FROM ONE MAN’S PERSPECTIVE. Now 32 years later we have a son Curtis Walter Larson who has given us both our share of joys and exasperation. NOTE TO SELF: God is good, Mary is wonderful, and Curtis is a son to be proud of.

I am a pretty good guy. I did not keep a good tally of my bad behaviors versus good choices on my pocket abacus, but I still attest I am 'pretty good and not so bad'.

But no matter how good or bad I am, getting into Heaven is always about God's Grace and not about my relative goodness. His grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9

So in my case, being pretty good never felt so.. good.

The bible is loaded with stories of God's Grace and hope for both those of us in the pretty good guys club, and also those falling way short of.. pretty good. Our God's love and His patience is great, and there is unlimited grace for all who would receive it.

The Psalms is a great book of the Bible filled with poetic words of worship sharing God's love and protection for ALL those who choose to follow him. ie The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.. Psalms 23

Then in Luke 23:39-43 the story of the thief of the cross who repents while dying on a cross, and Jesus comforts him with the words "today you will be with me in paradise." note: the thief was not such a pretty good guy.

In Matthew 20Jesus shares the story of the owner of the vineyard pays the workers who arrived at the end of the work day the same as those who worked all day. God's Grace is never prorated. It is full and complete not dependent on your stage or station in life. God's Grace is far reaching, and complete for ALL who will receive it.

and then.. in Luke 15 the Father welcomes home his prodigal son with open arms after a time sharing room & board with literal pigs. When the son returned his Father was not interested in the broken path his son had chosen, but instead rejoiced that his son was finally home.

So rest easy there is no entrance exam to get into Heaven. You will not need to know the names of at least 10 of the 12 disciples, or know the names of the sons of Nahor in Genesis 22. hint: Their names rhyme with fuzz.

At the Pearly Gates you will not be greeted by a Gate Keeper suspecting you of smuggling in contraband (ie devils food cake?).

The only question asked in 'Pearly Gate Redneck speak' will be "if yer kin yer in."

note: This email is not a battle cry for mediocrity, or to strive to only be 'good enough', but only to clarify our goodness is tentative when compared to our perfect creator.

​This is all GREAT NEWS for all of us. From the thief on the cross, to any Jeff on his office chair, and everyone else.

​The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.Genesis 6:5

This was the report card for mankind by God just before He commanded Noah to build an ark. The letter grade for having the inclinations of your heart being only evil all the time got them a.. F! They failed! Mankind did not even show up for class or open a book (figuratively speaking). There was no extenuating circumstances to consider so get ready, and be sure to update your flood insurance policy cuz it's gonna be getting wet.

Evil all the time.. what does that even look like.? I would guess there would be your garden variety envy, greed, racism, and hatred fueled by a self indulgent 'hell bent' looking for the next high' attitude in drink, sex, and/or any other means imaginable. Evil all the time.. folk are gluttons for all forms of pleasure with no boundaries. Their motto was .. 'What happens in Genesis 6:5, stays in Genesis 6:5.'.

Now fast forward to our modern lives. I cannot imagine a society where evil all the time is there every inclination. <insert reflective pause> Unless.. I turn on the evening news. Then I might declare .. 'whoomp there it is.'

Maybe 'evil all the time' is an unfair assessment life today, but we are exposed to a very secular 24/7 stimulus overload with very little time left over for worship of our God. This is not the road God intends for us. We see hatred, envy, anger, greed, and more fuel theft, murder, wars, and more. The internet is a great source for answers and information that is just a click away. But this same internet is a cesspool of depraved, violent and truly dark sites that scream to us evil and is just a click away.,

Of course evil all the time is not a description of the church and God's people and if someone is outside the church just to be clear does not make someone evil.. BUT I see society as a whole being like 'frog in the boiling pot' unaware of how hot the water is. Cooked in what he thinks is a Jacuzzi while drinking a pitcher of margaritas.

Insert REVIVAL here!

BUT.. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

I know 2 Chronicles 7:14 was written a long time ago to the nation of Israel, but I believe the promise to restore and heal our lands is true today... and not just for Israel.

So what if.. our nation sought the face of God? Then God would maybe paraphrase/revise Genesis 6:5.

​The Lord saw how great the goodness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only to love GOD and care for others all the time. Genesis 6:5 (revival edition)

May God bless each of you today in your pursuit of God and for a revival that changes the world.

I grew up in a good God fearing church in rural Wisconsin where the people loved and worshiped God. The joy of the Lord was real but if you were raising your hand(s).. they be expectin' you to have a question.

Since then I moved to the big city where more than a smattering of city folk in their city folk churches raise there city folk hands.

So it was only a matter of time for my close to the vest worship styling succumbed to the hand raising masses.

I started with one hand raised slightly about waist high, with a quick look to my left and right to be sure no one was watching me.. cuz I might be doing it wrong. Then one hand raised but still slightly below shoulder height, palm open of course. About 6 months later I ventured out to raise one hand above my head but only for a split second so that no one thinks I just have a question... Then quickly my hand is raised again this time for half a chorus. Finally both hands above my head high like Jesus just ran 80 yards for a touchdown!​My Worship Metamorphosis is complete!

Think of it like learning to ride a bike. You start out with both hands on the on the handle bars.. then try riding with one hand, then finally big and bold you are riding with no hands. Pretty, pretty cool.

Same thing with worship hands. You start out with both hands on the chair or pew in front of you. Then over time you let go with one hand, then finally both hands raised! Warning: The first time I raised both hands I lost my balance and fell over and skinned my shin.

Ok, I have rambled long enough to where I forget again what is true and what I made up for fun. Fact? Fiction? Hmmm, think of it as a 'hybrid of truth'. Truth be told I do not recall falling over during worship, though one of my butt cheeks did fall asleep on a particularly hard chair at our church. But that is a topic for another day..

What I do know that worship is a time to express our adoration to our loving Heavenly Father. Whether I choose to raise my hands, or remain seated with the above risk of a cheek going numb..

Oh there are many more.. but I leave you all with one final request of any fellow 'worship watchers'. Please report back to me any 'creative' worship styling(s) you have observed so I can capture them with my vivid 64 pack of Crayola Crayons.

My good friend Bryan Anderson is a Biology professor at Bethel University. He is a smart guy from my home town of Cable Wisconsin population 280ish. Bryan lives the good life with his family now in the Twin Cities faithful to God, family, and friends.

Like I said Bryan is a very good friend, and we meet for lunch often, and when we meet he shares with me his secrets for a happy life. I have summed up his secrets in what I would call The Four Principles of Bryan.

​Cell Phones are from the Devil - Bryan resisted for the first 57 years having his own a cell phone. He only recently purchased one at the insistance of his very wise wife Laura. I guess putting a little bell on him was not an effective once he wandered outside of ear shot.

Emails are electronic clutter - Bryan is a college professor who hates email. He brags to me on how many emails have stacked up in his inbox that are unread. Bryan's preferred modes of office communication are carrier pidgeon, and Pony Express.

Thou shalt NOT wear a seat belt. I know, I know.. being labeled a smart guy now comes into serious question. No one knows why Bryan won't wear a seat belt, but when I get to Heaven some day I will ask God. I believe God will answer with a Holy Smirk.. "That's what happens when ya give 'free will' to a country boy."

​and finally..

There are simply too many signs - Bryan is very bothered by our modern world and the overuse of SIGNS. Signs are here, signs are there, there are signs everywhere about everything. Simply put Bryan believes common sense should be our guide instead those signs that inform us of the obvious. Those needing signs for the obvious would be simply eliminated by the natural order of selection.

After all Bryan is a Biology professor, a man of science,.. he knows.. STUFF

While I cheerfully own a cell phone, read my email, and wear a seat belt.. I do believe Bryan is on to something regarding this sign happy world.

Also Bryan reinforces his sign concerns by quoting Jesus in ​Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it.

So there you have The Four Principles of Bryan for a world looking for a.. a.. ahem a sign?

​May God bless your life with a fully charged smartphone, a manageable email inbox, seat belts in your cars, a life uncluttered by excessive 'signage'... and good friends to be used as blog fodder.

So Life is GOOD, and there are plenty more milestones on my 0-60 trek along with a number of bumps in the road. Some little (broken bones), while other potholes in my life really shook me.

I have wandered onto a bunny trail or two, and taken shortcuts that were actually long-cuts only to come to a place where I realized 'I can't get there from here'.

There were even a few speeding tickets while in a hurry I zoomed past roads clearly marked Isaiah 40:31 'They that wait upon the Lord, He will renew their strength'.

I even ran out of gas a few times but thankfully no matter if I could'a should'a done better I have stayed the course calling roadside assistance (Help me God, I am lost!) as needed. There were even a few times where I was completely broke down and needed God's 'Prodigal Son 24/7 Towing Service'. I thought it was a bother to call PS Towing, but they (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) were so glad I called, and even brought me a hot roast beef (fatted calf) sandwich because they knew per usual.. I would be hungry.

So here I am at 60, and while I am pretty pretty sure I will not reach road marker 969 'The Methuselah Mile' but I am not ready to park it yet. It is PRICELESS to realize I am loved, encouraged, blessed, and can count on my loving Heavenly Father even when I complicate the road I travel.

May God bless each of you along your road in ways that are beyond your dreams. And remember these words from the owners manual.

​Stay the course, avoid Route 666. For the road is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and even seems right as it seems everyone is on Route 666. Remember the Highway to Heaven is straight, and narrow but it leads to life, even though it is the road less traveled. Mt 7:13-14 AAA Translation

Max Lucado wrote a book back in 1994 titled ''When God whispers your name'. It is a great read with his usual humor and insights, but my question is..

What happens when God whispers my name but .. I am hard of hearing?

Just a few short years ago I weathered personal hurricane force storms in back to back years. At the time I didn't know if I would survive the first storm only to be windblown and tattered the next year too.

Let me tell you I literally cried (sobbed), and cried out to God for HELP. I wanted a God to calm these storms, but my prayers were met with the resounding SILENCE of God.

Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Ps 10:1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Ps 22:1-2

I admit my cries to God were not as eloquent David penned in the above Psalms, but I still believe I shed enough literal tears to warrant flood insurance.Side note on Crying:When a woman cries we feel empathy as her deep emotions touch our hearts. When a man cries it sounds like a wounded Badger caught in a trap trying to gnaw off his leg in a short sighted attempt to resolve his problem 'on his own'. Those in ear shot want to put that wounded badger out of his misery. and for crying men to .. STOP IT!

Now back to my storms..Over time I discovered God's providence/answers were found in what I perceived as His silence. During my storms I believed I must experience the full impact of my situation (mistakes and circumstances) because that is how life works. Life rains on the just and the unjust, the Jeffs and the unJeffs while I stand outside crying in this deluge with my head tipped to the Heavens with my mouth open .. drowning!

We all know the story of Peter walking on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on those very real waves.. and began to sink. Just like Peter those the very real waves in my life overwhelmed me because I did not put my trust in the man who walks on water and calms the seas.

The good news is I did endure these storms and found over time how faithful and loving God was and is. He is faithful where He changed me(but still a work in progress), and blessed my wife and I with opportunities, and new friendships that would not have existed if God had not remained silent to my storms.

You might say, well life is just turning around for you, but I believe it was God's Resounding Silence.

The details of my storm(s) are not important except to say.. I am so thankful for God's love and His providence, and His answers to my prayers were to.. “Be still, and know that He is God." Ps 46:10

Be still, be faithful, be listening, be prayerful, and enjoy the Resounding Silence of God.

Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really wantSo tell me what you want, what you really, really wantI'll tell you what I want, what I really, really wantSo tell me what you want, what you really, really wantI wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha)I wanna really, really, really wanna ..- Spice Girls Worship Band?

Just so you don't worry more about me I do know the song Wannabe neither deep, or a worship song with a catchy tune. I am at one of those crossroads in my life. Looking for the right employment opportunity, and also my wife and I are looking to move to the right home for this stage in our lives. So in discussing our future the phrase "what I really want" seemed to come up often.. and my caffeinated brain 'logically' jumped into the lyrics from the 1996 song 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls. Not that I was a fan of the Spice Girls, but it was a catchy tune.

But I also know it is OK to talk to God about what I want what I really want because He cares about what I want what I really really want. So I tell Him what I want what I really really want.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayeror removed his steadfast love from me! --Psalm 66:16-20 (ESV)

Our God is better than any Genie in a Lamp where our every wish/prayer is granted. Our God is our personal loving Heavenly Father hears our cry and desires what is best for each of us.

So to be clear I can count on God wanting his best for me, and even better yet He KNOWS what is best for me. During our recent house shopping we have made offers on three homes so far but each time the offer of another potential buyer was chosen. The last offer we were the runner up to the buyer who was chosen. I guess we were like the Miss Congeniality of home buyers.. and were still disappointed.

But after this moment (ok, it was a half a day) of disappointment. We turned back to trusting God in this process an actually excited about it realizing God really wants what He really really wants is our best.

​I believe He is personally involved with our lives and this home buying process. This is what I believe and where my hope is.

No matter if you are buying a home, single and looking for Mr or Mrs Right, choosing a career path, or the church you attend I pray you put your trust in the God who loves you. He is not indifferent, he is not detached. So pray to God and tell Him what you want.

Psalm 139:7-8I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.

So one last time.. Tell God what you want, what you really want.. and seek His will. The best is yet to come.

I am attempting AGAIN to read through my Bible this year. So far, so good as I am on track. Anyways, one of the stories I read recently was Jacob wrestling with God/ an Angel in the night, and would not let go of God until he would bless him. The wrestling match finally ended as God put Jacob's hip out of socket.

This is an interesting story as though Jacob blessed by God even though his life journey I am not sure modeled being close, listening, or obedient to God in the details of his life.

Exhibit A: Jacob deceived his father Isaac into giving him the blessing of the first born which was due to go to his brother Esau. Exhibit B: His unique marriage with sisters Leah and Rachel and their battle to produce more offspring was interesting to say the least. Exhibit C: Jacob's relationship with his father in law Laben did not seem to involve alot of prayer as there was little trust between them.

So with this trail of doing things his own way Jacob now fears his brother Esau is about to attack and kill him bringing Jacob to that night of WrestleMania with God.

Seems to me Jacob was not reading his bible, or praying the Lord's prayer daily. Ok, I do know there was not bible for Jacob to read, or the Lord's prayer to model after but my point is Jacob seemed to plow through life without being as in touch with God as he should be. Then as Esau approaches Jacob determines desperate times require desperate measures and so he grapples with God for a blessing .. and oh by the way God, DON'T LET MY BROTHER KILL ME!

While I have not stole any birth rights, married sisters, or schemed against my father in law I can relate to doing things my way. And unlike Jacob I do have a bible to read, and the Lord's Prayer as I commune with God., but I sometimes let those intimacy times with God slide This often leads to a mess either big or small leaving me to cry to God "Bless me.. I won't quit bugging you til you bless me. .. Did you hear me God? I'm still waiting."

So I thank God for these Old Testament stories where timeless truths are shared. The story of Esau is the story of man where God's blessings and goodness go beyond who we are or what we deserve. Oh it is much easier when I stay close to God, but I thank He is there for me even when I go all 'Jacob' on him.

I pray today God bless each of you with the truth of his love and grace. Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.